What are the best practices for using structs and classes in programming?

What are the best practices for using structs and classes in programming?

When using structs and classes, it's important to consider encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. Structs are typically used for simple data structures, while classes are better for complex behaviors.

Can you explain encapsulation and why it's important?

Encapsulation is the practice of bundling data and methods that operate on that data within one unit, like a class. It helps protect the internal state of an object and reduces complexity.

What about inheritance? How does it relate to classes?

Inheritance allows a class to inherit properties and methods from another class, promoting code reuse and establishing a hierarchical relationship between classes.

Are there situations where I should prefer structs over classes?

Yes, prefer structs for small data structures that hold data without complex behavior. They are more lightweight and can be more efficient in certain scenarios.